Saturday Plan Provides Adults Own School Day

ADULTS WHO want to go back to school, either for job training or for a college degree, but don`t have time during the week can go on Saturdays.

Wright College, 3400 N. Austin Ave., offers a program called ``Saturday Semester`` in which students can earn up to eight credit hours a semester toward an associate of arts degree.

The Saturday program enables a student to earn the 60 credit hours needed to graduate in as little as four years.

RAYMOND LeFevour, college vice president, says the program serves adults, many of them working full time, who cannot fit day or evening classes into their schedules.

As examples, he remembered a man who was unable to take microcomputer courses because his job kept him on the road three or four days a week. He also cited a woman who told him that after working all day she was too tired to attend evening classes.

The program began last February with about 500 students. By September, 700 students were enrolled. ``We have made a commitment to these students,``

LeFevour said.

He expects about 900 students to enroll in the spring semester, which begins Feb. 2.

THE PROGRAM concentrates on three areas--business (which includes computers), accounting and liberal arts--but it offers a variety of classes, from astronomy to weight training.

The computer courses are the most popular, LeFevour says, because they are useful to both degree students and students looking for career advancement or change. He estimates that about 30 percent of the Saturday students take at least one computer course.

It has 35 classes, and the college`s administrative offices remain open.

``Saturday is a regular school day now,`` LeFevour said.

He said that students in the job-training classes should have marketable skills after only three semesters.

Many students are changing jobs, he said, and the college`s placement service is also available to them on Saturdays.

Tuition and fees are $23 a credit hour. Most classes are three credit hours.

Registration for the spring semester begins Jan. 26. For more information, call 777-7900.